SYNOPSISChitin was isolated from prawn shells, and chitosan was prepared from it. The degree of N-deacetylation and the molecular weight were determined using IR spectroscopy and viscometry, respectively. A series of different modified chitosan membranes were prepared by blending with polyvinylpyrrolidone ( PVP ) . These membranes were characterized by various techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC ) , wide-angle X-ray diffractometry ( WAXD ) , and tensile testing. The physical, thermal, and mechanical properties were evaluated, and the change in these properties upon the addition of PVP into the blends has been discussed in terms of the amorphous and hydrophilic nature of PVP. Hydrophilicity of the blends increases due to the presence of PVP in the chitosan substrate. This helps in breaking the hydrogen bonds in between chitosan molecules and causes the blends to swell in three dimensions.
SYNOPSISThe permeabilities of low molecular weight metabolites were determined through chitosan and a series of chitosan-poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) ( P V P ) membranes. The dialysis studies were carried out in uitro using a diaphragm-type test cell. The basic metabolites (urea, creatinine, and glucose) show higher permeation rates than do the acidic metabolites (uric acid and phosphate) through all the modified membranes. The hydrophilicity of the membranes, molecular weight, and chemical nature of the metabolites were important parameters in determining transport properties of the membranes. It was observed that higher permeation rates can be obtained by manipulating the amount of PVP in the blended membranes. The PVP weight loss in the aqueous medium was negligible.
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